Author Interview: Mark Frost and The Paladin Prophecy

In geek circles, author Mark Frost might be best known for creating the short-lived Twin Peaks television series with David Lynch, but his career is long and varied. He’s worked in film and television, and penned a number of adult novels, but his most recent project is a fantasy novel for young adults.

In The Paladin Prophecy, Will West grapples with the mysterious actions of his parents, his unique physical and mental abilities, and finds himself on the run from some unsavory characters. I’ve just begun reading the book, but I can tell already that the plot twists and turns will keep readers guessing as Will maneuvers his strange circumstances with the help of the his dad’s list of rules. [Rule #156: Always listen to your dad.] I asked Mark about The Paladin Prophecy, his writing process, and yes, Twin Peaks.

Kris Bordessa: The Paladin Prophecyis your first book for young adults. I’m a fan of young adult fiction so I’m thrilled, but what prompted you to pen a novel for teens?

Image: Random House

Mark Frost: This book just moved lock, stock and barrel into my mind and took over one day. I don’t think I consciously decided to write for the young adult audience, my subconscious decided for me. I had something I needed to process, and say, about my experience of growing up and this became the vehicle for it. When a story grabs the steering wheel like that I’ve learned the best thing to do is sit back, don’t hit the brakes and just try to keep the car heading down the road.

KB: Compared to your adult novels, how did your voice change to accommodate a younger audience? Or did it?

MF: I did experience a learning curve in terms of the prose style and tone, but the voice of the characters was there from the beginning and I think they have a lot to say to younger readers. It’s a turbulent and tumultuous time of life and I’ve done my best to shine some light on it. I was starved for role models during those years and I hope readers will find some amongst this group.

KB: This is the first book in a trilogy. Did you know in advance that you had enough material for a trilogy or did that become apparent once you got deeper into the story? And knowing that you have three different books to write, how do you pace yourself, how does the project take shape in both the short term (book 1) and the long term (the complete trilogy)?

MF: Once I laid out the over-all architecture I knew this was—at least—a trilogy; and that was before I’d written a single word! I have written many long form stories before—Twin Peaks being the most obvious parallel—and I’ve learned you have to take it a day at a time; it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and if you don’t keep your eyes and ears open you may miss something incredibly cool along the way.

KB: Does your son think it’s pretty cool that you’re writing a book for young adults? Did he have a chance to read the book as it was being written, or offer feedback?

MF: My son is nine now, so he was a little too young when I was writing the book. I’m actually reading it to him now and he’s really digging it. I’m hoping ‘dad’s rules’ make an impression, but that’ll be up to him; sometimes the best lessons are the ones you don’t say out loud. (Hey, that could be another rule!)

KB: Can you talk about the process of selling a trilogy as opposed to a single novel?

MF: I had the complete first book written—which was considerably longer in first draft—and a rough outline of where the series would go from there, which [my publishers] were eager to see. There’s still a leap of faith involved, on their part, but nobody ever achieved anything worthwhile without some calculated risk. (Another rule!)

KB: You’ve written for and created successful TV shows like The Six Million Dollar Man, Hill Street Blues, and Twin Peaks. Beyond the sheer length of the project, how does writing a novel differ from writing for TV?

MF: I’ve always played a lot of sports, and the sports metaphor for this would be to look at the difference between playing basketball with teammates and climbing a mountain by yourself, with an elephant on your back.

KB: Even before the book’s release, The Paladin Prophecy movie is in the works. It sounds like you’ll be writing the screenplay as well as producing the film. How difficult is it for you to take characters that have lived in your head for so long and create a cast that feels authentic to you?

Mark Frost

MF: Since I’ve worked in film and television for so long, I’ve acquired the ability to let the version of the characters that lives in my mind make way for the living, breathing humans who are going to play them on screen. If you cast it right—and casting is about 80% of directing—they will eventually replace or exceed the imaginary image.

KB: Twin Peaks: Two seasons. What’s UP with that? Have you completely moved on or do you still think about it on occasion? And what are the odds that we’ll ever see more of the story?

MF: The fact that people still talk and obsess about Twin Peaks, more than twenty years after the fact, is a great validation for what we thought we had going at the time. It all feels like a dream now, but it’s a dream that’s still alive for both me and David. We’ll see…

KB: What’s on your desk? What do you have to have nearby (or in the fridge!) to fuel your creativity?

MF: My desk is a wreck at the moment! I’m writing Book #2 in the series and my notes and outlines are everywhere. I’m playing soundtracks to inspire me, or sometimes I’ll play rainstorm sound effects—we’re a little starved for rain at this time of year in southern California. My fridge is full of super foods to keep my brain operating at maximum efficiency! (Last rule for the day: take care of your brain; it doesn’t come with a spare!)